The Williamson County Veterans Treatment Court (WCVTC) is designed to provide an alternative to the traditional method of adjudicating. It is led by Judge Laura Barker and supported by a team of professionals from the legal, law enforcement, and treatment communities. The program is designed to facilitate the rehabilitation of veterans accused or convicted of misdemeanor and felony offenses that meet criteria. All participants will have offenses which, in their totality, provide WCVTC at least 12 months of jurisdiction, but could be extended depending upon the treatment needs of each veteran participant.
The Veteran Treatment Court has two tracks available for Veterans and is designed to facilitate the rehabilitation of veterans accused or convicted of misdemeanor and felony offenses that meet criteria. The two tracks available are the Pre-trial Diversion Track and the Probation Track. The Court Program may offer Veterans an opportunity to avoid prosecution and a criminal conviction, if eligible for the Pre-Trial Diversion Track. The track will be determined by reviewing the nature of the arrest and the Veteran will be informed of the track available to them prior to their decision to participate in the Court.
Participants are carefully screened and must meet eligibility criteria. They are required to address their chemical dependency and/or mental health issues, resolve their legal obligations and obtain/maintain employment or schooling. They will also be required to make regular court appearances, meet with licensed probation officers, case management, submit to frequent and random drug testing, and advanced alcohol testing and monitoring equipment. The court will also direct its efforts toward changing offender behavior, addressing transportation and licensing issues, and focusing on the rights of any victims.
The goal of the Veterans Treatment Court is to reduce recidivism of eligible misdemeanor and felony offenses by identifying those individuals who require mental health and/or substance abuse treatment and placing them in an appropriate continuum of treatment.